‘A Million Red Lines’: Hamas Rejects Israeli Ceasefire Proposal Requiring It to Disarm

Latest Developments

Disarming Is Red Line for Hamas: Hamas rejected Israel’s latest proposal for a ceasefire in Gaza on April 15. Presented to Hamas officials in Egypt the previous day, the deal reportedly proposed that the Iran-backed terrorist group release 10 of the 24 hostages believed to still be alive in Gaza, including U.S. citizen Edan Alexander, in addition to Hamas disarming and relinquishing control of the coastal enclave. “Handing over the resistance’s weapons is a million red lines and is not subject to consideration, let alone discussion,” said senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri.
Hamas Demands Permanent Israeli Withdrawal: A Hamas official told CNN that Israel’s proposal included the release of 1,100 Palestinian prisoners, including 120 serving life sentences, along with a 45-day pause in military operations to negotiate a permanent ceasefire. The deal also called for negotiations on a permanent ceasefire and the release of remaining hostages to begin on the deal’s third day, concluding with the full demilitarization of Gaza. A senior Hamas official told the BBC that “The Israeli proposal … called for the disarmament of Hamas without any Israeli commitment to end the war or withdraw from Gaza. Hamas therefore rejected the offer in its entirety.”
Stopping Hamas’s Control of Humanitarian Aid: Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said on April 16 that before deliveries of humanitarian aid can be resumed, a mechanism must be established through “civilian companies” to bypass Hamas’s control of the flow of assistance. Israel banned all humanitarian aid from entering Gaza when the previous ceasefire expired on March 1, with the aim of pressuring Hamas to release the hostages. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Israeli troops during a visit to northern Gaza on April 15, “We insist that our hostages be released and we insist on achieving all of our objectives for the war.”

FDD Expert Response

“Hamas rejected the ceasefire proposal because Israel, up to this point, has not compelled the group to agree to one despite increasing military pressure. Hamas has calculated that mounting international pressure and the current diplomatic deadlock will force Israel into accepting its demands — namely, a permanent ceasefire and the continuation of its rule over the Gaza Strip.” — Joe Truzman, Senior Research Analyst and Editor at FDD’s Long War Journal

“The entry of goods into Gaza will only bolster Hamas unless there are sufficient safeguards to prevent diversion. The Iran-backed terrorist group stockpiles supplies with little care for the Gazans it is supposed to guard. This is unsurprising from a group that hides its rockets and tunnels underneath civilian structures and endangers Palestinians by slaughtering Israelis.” — David May, Research Manager and Senior Research Analyst

“Hamas has no genuine interest in a ceasefire, because it would mean that the group has to disarm. Its entire strategy hinges on prolonging the war to maximize civilian suffering and weaponize global sympathy. Since October 7, the group has shown it values its weapons and its rule more than the lives of Palestinians. Hamas will continue to reject any ceasefire that will end its rule, which leaves Israel with one option. Only a decisive military defeat can dismantle Hamas.” — Ahmad Sharawi, FDD Research Analyst